89 ranger 4x4 getting a 4.0 swap

[AZ Native]

Lets start with "HELLO"

This is my first thread on your forum. (please don't hold that against me!)
I have read many others here in the past and have always been able to find the info i needed. THANKS!


All that aside, lets get to the meat and potatoes.....

I have pulled a few engines over the years, a couple of them rangers. So I know I'm up to the task.

I have decided to undertake a project for my father to bring some life back into his old 89 ranger 4x4. It has a tired old 2.9 and is beginning to rattle itself apart. I have acquired a 97 Explorer 4x4 4.0 OHV Automatic with 80k miles for $400! The trans is toast, but I dont need that anyway. I have located a m5od trans from a 94 ranger 4.0 manual 4x4 that is in good condition.

I know i will need to get a different ecu. Am I correct that I should get one from a 94 ranger 4.0 manual? Is there a better alternative? Is there anything I should avoid?

I will also be scouring the local junkyards for wiring. What will I be looking for? I assume once again that I will need the engine compartment wiring from an early 90's obd1 4.0? Is there any other wiring I will need?

 

[RonD]

Hello, and welcome to TRS

Good reads here on a few 4.0l OHV conversions: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-conversions.shtml

 

[AZ Native]

Ya,I've read many of them a couple times already.

 

[adsm08]

94 might not be the best year for the computer. Earlier would be better. Watch taking stuff from Explorers, their wiring can be used, but it is harder to do than a Ranger harness, but the Ranger harnesses changed in 93 and it makes for a really ugly swap if you use one after 92.


It's also best to make sure all your wiring comes from a single vehicle.

 

[AZ Native]

i've read alot more recently about exactly what motor i have....

This has brought me to the conclusion that I may not be doing the swap after all.
If the engine I have is a fast burn head motor, it doesn't appear that i will be able to run it reliably on the 93 computer/wiring. Has anyone had any luck with a setup similar to this?

Doing the full obd2 and dash swap alongside the engine doesn't scare me, it's the fact that I have a son expected in a few weeks and unfortunately will not have the time needed for this much extra work. I'm currently looking for a better engine alternative for this truck and may just sell the 97 explorer without stripping it down.

 

[tcbaklash]

Anything 1995 and up is going to be completely different from your truck. The only similarities is that the motor will bolt up fine, which is huge, but I wouldn't attempt that much labor for just a measly 4.0L V6. You seem to be going through a lot, and I'm going to support the idea of getting rid of the Exploder for now.

I did a 1994 Exploder automatic motor into my 1990 manual Ranger and it wasn't horrible if you just swap EVERYTHING over and have wire maps/pinouts at the ready.